1970 Lamborghini Espada Series II Coupé
Coachwork by Carrozzeria Bertone
Chassis no. 7662

"Carrozzeria Bertone unveiled one of its motor show sensations at the 1967 Geneva event, the Marzal. This dramatic concept car was seen as an approach to a four-seat Lamborghini... and it turned out to be a forerunner of the Espada, a genuine four-seater and a distinctive 1960s supercar." – David Hodges, 'Lamborghini – The Legend'.
Ferruccio Lamborghini's first production car, the Touring-styled 350 GT, had debuted at the 1964 Geneva Motor Show. The work of two of Italy's most illustrious automobile engineers, the 350 GT featured a glorious 3.5-litre, four-cam V12 designed by Giotto Bizzarrini, housed in a chassis penned by Gianpaolo Dallara. The 350 GT's four camshafts and all-independent suspension meant that it upstaged the best that Ferrari offered at the time; but to compete with his Maranello rival's larger models Lamborghini needed a nominal four-seater, and the 4.0-litre 400 GT 2+2 duly appeared in 1966. Despite its novice status as an automobile manufacturer, Lamborghini had quickly dispelled any lingering doubts about its ability to compete with the world's best Gran Turismos.
Named after a matador's sword and unveiled at the 1968 Geneva Motor Show, the Espada was styled by Bertone's Marcello Gandini - creator of the incomparable Miura - along lines similar to those of the stillborn, rear-engined, six-cylinder Marzal but carried its 4.0-litre, four-cam V12 up front. The latter - first seen in the 400 GT and used also by the contemporary Islero - produced 325bhp, an output sufficient to propel the distinctive coupé to 150mph. Islero running gear was employed but wedded to a platform-type, semi-monocoque chassis rather than the former's tubular frame.
Introduced in January 1970, the Series II cars came with an extra 25bhp, 155mph (249km/h) top speed, an improved dashboard layout, and the option of power assisted steering. The dashboard was revised yet again in late 1972 for the Series III, which also incorporated power steering as standard, up-rated brakes, minor suspension improvements, and a restyled front grille. Espada production ceased in 1978 after 1,217 of these imposing cars had been built, of which 575 were Series II examples. Even today there are few cars that can match the on-road presence of the Espada.
Beautifully finished in light green metallic with dark brown leather interior, this Series II Espada was delivered new to Switzerland to a well-known (and still existing) textile manufacturer in the Appenzell area. In 1978 the Lamborghini was imported into France but remained in the same company's ownership until 1988, when it was sold to its first private owner in Buxy, Burgundy. A subsequent owner from Nantes kept the Espada from circa 2008 to late 2013 when it was purchased by the current vendor for his exclusive private collection in Germany via the well-respected Hamburg-based dealer, Eberhard Thiesen.

In total more than €77,000 has been spent on this Espada since 2011 and we recommend close inspection of the history file. A brief summary of the works carried out and documented by invoices (some with pictures) is as follows:

• Invoices (some of them for parts directly supplied by Lamborghini) in its early life
• Some correspondence from the factory in 1988 suggesting that the car might have gone back to the factory for a service
• Invoice from 2011 from a French carrosserie relating to the restoration of the car including a repaint of the inside and outside and engine compartment for a total of almost €22,000; restoration of the original leather interior with the WaterfloW system for circa €4,400 (also in 2011)
• While in the custody of the current owner: new tyres and sundry maintenance in October 2021 for circa €3,600; comprehensive carburettor and timing service in 2019 for more than €5,000
• In 2018 new air conditioning compressor, etc for €1,500; comprehensive mechanical service and repair for more than €32,000 in 2018 by well-respected Swiss specialists Graber Sportgarage in Toffen, Switzerland
• In 2016 new correct ANSA exhaust, etc for €5,700
• In 2014 further invoices for €3,100 and circa € 6,400 (including the installation of power-assisted steering)

The car is offered with German registration documents, copies of the aforementioned invoices and an owner's manual. With a comprehensive history file dating from its first years to the present day, and benefiting from a no-expense-spared approach with regard to its upkeep by the current and previous custodians, this Espada should not be compared to lesser examples and is worthy of the closest inspection.